Suction cleaner motor mounting construction



Dec. 13, 1960 E. J. KASPER SUCTION CLEANER MOTOR MOUNTING CONSTRUCTIONFiled Jan. 16, 1959 m wm INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent SUCTIONCLEANER MOTOR MOUNTING CONSTRUCTION Elmer J. Kasper, Russell Township,Geauga County, Ohio, assignor to Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company,Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 16, 1959, Ser. No.787,179

4 Claims. (Cl. 230-417) This invention relates to suction cleaners andmore particularly it pertains to mounting construction for holding amotor and fan unit in a tank type suction cleaner.

A suction cleaner of the tank type is a horizontal cylinder having openends of the cylinder closed by detachable covers. In addition, acarrying handle and operating switch are usually mounted on the topsideof the cylinder and a motor-fan unit is mounted within the cylinder in avibrationless manner. Numerous constructions have been used forattaching the covers, the handle, and the operating switch on 'thecylinder and for mounting the motor in a fixed position within thecylinder. In the past many additional parts have been required forseparately mounting the covers, handle, switch, and motor, which partshave contributed greatly to the cost of the product and frequentlyincreased subsequent costs of maintenance and repair.

The suction cleaner construction of the present invention provides ahousehold appliance which is less expensive to manufacture, repair andmaintain. In the first place, the motor-fan unit has been'movedrearwardly into the outlet cover to provide a greater dust collectingchamber at the forward end of the cleaner. By providing a larger dustcollecting chamber a'dust'filter bag having a greater surface'may beprovided which contributes to'the increased capacity of the suctioncleaner.

In addition, the motor is mounted in a readily detachable manner byproviding-amotor mounting ring having an outer peripheral flange'whichis clamped inplace between the end of the' cylinder and the outletcover. The motor mounting ring has a V-shaped cross section and isflexible radially outwardly when its outer peripheral flange is seatedin place. Upon removal of the outlet cover, the mounting ring isreleased from its position of holding the motor-fan unit tightly inplace and thereby facilitates the assembly and disassembly of thecleaner.

Moreover, the outerperipheral flange of the mounting ring is providedwith an annular gasket or seal member which upon assembly of the cleanercover on the end of the cylinder clamps the sealing member in place topreventair leakage therebetween.

Furthermore, the outlet cover is secured to the end of the cleaner by aminimum number of easily detachable screws, one of which also providesattachment means for securing one end of the handlein place.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention "to provide a suctioncleaner having an increased capacity for collecting and storing dust.

It is another object of this invention to provide a suction cleaner unitin which the motor-fan unit is mounted in an easily detachable mannerfor assembly and disassembly.

It is another object of this invention to provide a 'suction cleanerhaving a motor mounting ring which upon assembly with other parts of thecleaner is clamped to mount a motor-fan unit rigidly in place. 7

It is another object of this invention to provide a detachable motormounting ring hav ng an outerperiph'eral flange with an air sealingmember compressible between the end of the motor housing and the outletcover,

It is another object of this invention to provide a minimum of parts forassembly of the motor-fan unit, the outlet cover, and the handle for thesuction cleaner and thereby minimize the number of parts and assemblytime on the production line.

Finally, it is an object of this invention to provide an improvedsuction cleaner motor mounting construction which accomplishes theforegoing objects and desirderata in a simple, effective and inexpensivemanner.

These and other objects and advantages apparent to those skilled in theart may be obtained by the parts, constructions, arrangements,combinations and subcombinations comprising the present invention, thenature of which is set forth in the following general statement, apreferred embodiment of which-illustrative of the best mode in whichapplicant has contemplated applying the principles-is set forth in thefollowing description and illustrated in the accompanying drawing andwhich is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in theappended claims forming a part hereof.

The improved suction cleaner motor mounting construction of the presentinvention may be stated in general terms as including a motor-fan unitmounted in a cylindrical suction cleaner tank near one open end thereof,an end closure detachably mounted on the open end of the tank, motormounting means within the tank including an apertured, substantiallyradially extending member secured to the inner surface of the tank andspaced inwardly from the open end of the tank, the motor mounting meansalso including an annular member detachably mounted near the open end ofthe tank, the annular member having a substantially V-shaped crosssection one side of which engages the motor-fan unit, a rubber mountingring disposed between the motor-fan unit and one side of the annularmember, the other side of the annular member having an outturnedperipheral flange detachably seated between the end of the cylinder anda shoulder on the end closure, the outer peripheral flange-having aresilient cover thereon which is compressible b'etweenthe tank and theclosure, means including screws for holding the closure in place on theend of the tank, and a handle on the outer surface of the cleaner havingone end detachably engaged on'the cleaner by one ofthe screws securingthe closure member on the tank.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tank type suction cleaner;

Fig. 2 is 'an enlarged fragmentary, vertical, sectional view showing themotor-fan unit mounted within the rear portion of the suction cleaner;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, vertical, sectional View showing therelative positions of the cleaner housing, the outlet cap and a motormounting ring prior to final assembly.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views ofthe drawings.

A tank type suction cleaner is generally indicated at 1 in Fig. 1. Itincludes a cylindrical housing or tank 2, inlet end cap 3, and an outletend cap or closure For convenience'the cleaner 1 is mounted on a pair offront casters 5 and a pairof rear wheels 6 as shown. The suction cleaner1 is also provided with a strap handle 7 and an operating switch 8.

The cylindrical housing 2 is divided by a motor mounting member 9 into asuction chamber 10 and a motor chamber 11 where a filter dust bag 12 anda motor-fan unit generally indicated at 13 are located respectively. Themotor-fan unit comprises a centrifugal fan portion 14 and a motorportion 15,'and the motor-fan unit when operating draws air throughapertures 16 in the member 9 from the suction chamber 16 where a.partial vacuum is created around the filter bag 12. The air passes outof the cleaner through an air outlet 17 in the closure 4.

The outlet end closure 4 is a cup-shaped member having an outturnedannular shoulder 18 and a cylindrical flange 19. As shown in Fig. 2, theclosure 4 is secured to the end portion of the housing 2 by similarspaced screws 20 ('Figs. 1 and 2) as well as by a retaining bolt 21having a nut 22 at the upper side of the assembly. The operating switch8 extends through the upper side of the closure 4.

The strap handle 7 is attached at one end to the housing 2 where it isseated within a bracket 23 (Fig. 1) and the other end is attached to theclosure 4 by the bolt 21 where it is seated within a stamping 24 whichalso encloses the switch 8 (Fig. 2).

The motor mounting member 9 is preferably a cupshaped member includingthe apertures 16 through which communication between the chambers and 11is provided. The member 9 includes an annular shoulder 25 and acylindrical wall portion 26 which together with the shoulder form anannular seat for an L-shaped rubber mounting ring 27. A third stagefilter cap 25a is detachably mounted between the bag 12and member 25.The wall portion 26 terminates in an annular outturned shoulder 28 whichhas a cylindrical flange 29 that is secured to the inner surface of thecylindrical housing 2 by spaced spot welds 30. Thus one side of themotor-fan unit 13 is mounted in place in a vibrationless manner withrespect to the housing 2 of the cleaner.

The motor-fan unit 13 is also maintained in position on the other sideby an annular motor mounting member or ring generally indicated at 31.The ring 31 is preferably a stamping of sheet metal having a generallyV- shaped cross section which includes sides 32 and 33 which join at arounded apex 34. Both sides 32 and 33 are inclined to'the axis of thetank 2. The V-shaped con struction of the member 31, together with'thefact that it isa sheet-metal stamping, provide the member wtih radialand longitudinal flexibility. The side 32 is inclinedto the axis of thecleaner tank 2. .The side 33,

i which is a flange-like portion of the side 32,has a'concaveconfiguration and is provided with a longitudinally extending flange 35that, together with the concave shape of the side, provides seatingmeans for a rubber mounting ring 36 for holding the motor-fan unit 13 inplace.

Moreover, the side 33 is provided with anoutturned peripheral flange 37(Fig. 4) on which a rubber gasket or sealing ring 38 is mounted. In theunassembled position the member 31 maintains a substantially V-shapedconfiguration such as shown in Fig. 4. In-the assembledi condition theperipheral flange 37 of the member 31 is clamped (Fig. 2) between theend of the tank 2 and the shoulder 18 of the closure 4 so that stressesare created in the member 31 which spread the sides 32 and 33 slightlyand thereby apply clamping pressure upon the motorfan unit 13 throughthe mounting ring '36 for holding the unit tightly in place as shown inFig. 2-. Furthermore, with the member 31 clamped in place between thetank 2 and the motor-fan unit, the latter is'sustained in the rubbermounting members 27 and 36 which -pre-. vent vibrations created in theoperating motorfan unit from being transmitted throughout the entiresuction cleaner 1. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the side 33 is providedwith an aperture '39 to create clearance for the lower end of the nut22.

When the suction cleaner 1 is assembled, the motorfan unit 13 is placedin position within the rubber mounting ring 27. Thereafter the mountingring 36 and the annular member 31 are placed in position against thefau'housing 14 as shown in Fig. 4. --The closure 4 is for insertion ofthe screws 20 and the bolt 21, as shown.

in Fig. 2.

During the final closing operation of the closure 4 on the cleanerhousing 2, the'peripheral flange 37 is secured between the end of thehousing and the closure 4, and the motor mounting'member 31, beingflexible, is expanded slightly, outwardly, enlarging the angle betweenthe sides 32 and 33. At the same time the force applied compressesthe-rubber mounting member 36 and clamps the motor-fan unittightly inplace. By providing the rubber mounting members 27 and 36 as the onlymounting contacts withthe motor-fan unit 13, the unit is secured in avibrationless manner. As a result, wider tolerances may be used andthereby reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, the flexibility ofthemotor mounting member 31, having its outer peripheral flange 37seated within a sealing ring 38, further adds to the smooth and quietoperation of the cleaner.

In addition to the foregoing functions, the outturned flange 37 of themember 31 together with the sealing ring 38 provides an air seal betweenthe end of the cylindrical housing 2 and the shoulder 18 of the closure4. For that purpose, an end portion 42 of the cylinder 2 is turnedinwardly slightly (Fig. 4) to provide positive engagement with andclamping action on the sealing'ring 38 in conjunction with the shoulder18 of the closure 4.

Upon assembly or disassembly of the cleaner a minimum number of screws20 and bolt 21 are involved. All

of the other parts are separably and detachably mounted posed of .asheet metal V-shaped stamping, has a normalposition which is slightlyless than the radial distance between the rubber mounting member 36 onthe motor-fan unit .13 and the outer wall of the cylindrical housing.When theparts are assembled as shownin Fig. 2, the motor mountingmember'31 is sustained. in a distorted position due to its outer flange 37being clamped between the endof the housing 2 aiidthe shoulder 18-sothat a constant compression is applied to therubber mounting member. tovhold the motor-fan unit 13 in place. 1

Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and improved motor.mounting construction for mounting any usual or standard type ofmotor-fan unit in a tank type suction cleaner with-a minimum of noiseand vibration in use; provides a construction in which the motor-fanunit is maintained in a continual clamped position; provides aconstruction in which the various separable parts are joined by airsealing members; provides a construction which is readily assembled anddisassembled in a minimum .of time; and provides a construction having aminimum of parts and thereby eliminates prior art difficulties andovercomes long-standing problems in the tank type cleaner field.

In the foregoing description certain terms-have been usedfor brevity,clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitationshave 'beenimplied therefrom as such words are used for descriptive purposes aridare intended tobe broadly -construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated anddescribed herein is by way of example and the scope of the presentinvention is not limited to the exact construction shown.

Having now described the invention, construction, operation. and use ofa preferred embodiment thereof and the advantageous, new and usefulresults obtained thereby; the' new and useful suction cleaner motormounting construction andreasonable mechanical equivalentsthereof'obvious to those skilled in the art are set forth in-theappended claims.

Anal...

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner of the type wherein a cylindrical tank has amotor-fan unit mounted near one open end of the tank, and wherein an endclosure is detachably mounted on the open end of the tank; thecombination of motor mounting means including a motor mounting memberspaced inwardly from the open end of the tank, the motor mounting memberhaving means for receiving one side of a motor-fan unit, a motormounting ring for engaging another side of the motor-fan unit inclamping engagement with the motor mounting member, the ring having anouter peripheral flange, an inner flange, and a central portion betweenthe inner and outer flanges which portion extends at a angle to the axisof the cleaner, the inner flange being distortable into clamping enagement with the motor-fan unit upon clamping of the outer flangebetween the tank and the end closure, and means for holding the endclosure on the tank and in clamping engagement with the outer flangeportion of the ring.

2. In a suction cleaner of the type wherein a cylindrical tank has amotor-fan unit mounted therein near one open end of the tank, andwherein an end closure is detachably mounted on the open end of thetank; the combination of motor mounting means including a pair of spacedmotor mounting members one of said members being spaced inwardly of andattached to the tank, the other motor mounting member being disposed atthe open end of the tank and having a peripheral flange detachablyengaged between the end of the housing and the end closure, themotor-fan unit being clampingly engaged between the motor mountingmembers, said other motor mounting member being annular and having aninner flange portion in clamping engagement with the motor-fan unit whenthe peripheral flange is clamped between the end of the housing and theend closure, said other motor mounting member having a substantially V-shaped cross section and holding the inner flange portion compressivelyagainst the motor-fan unit when the peripheral flange is clamped betweenthe tank and the end closure, and means for holding the end closure onthe tank in clamping engagement with the peripheral flange of the motormounting member.

3. In a suction cleaner of the type wherein a cylindrical tank has amotor-fan unit mounted therein near one open end of the tank, andwherein an end closure is detachably mounted on the open end of the tankand is provided with an annular shoulder having a radius substantiallyequal to that of the tank; the combination of motor mounting meansincluding a motor mounting member spaced inwardly from the open end ofthe tank, a second motor mounting member having a peripheral flangedetachably mounted between the end of the cylindrical housing and theshoulder of the end closure, the second motor mounting member having aninner flange means for clampingly engaging a motor-fan unit between themotor mounting members, the second motor mounting member having anannular intermediate portion inclined to the longitudinal axis of thecleaner housing between the housing and the motor-fan unit, the annularintermediate portion being flexible to compress the outer peripheralflange against the motor-fan unit in response to distortion of the outerflange upon clamping the outer flange between the tank and the endclosure, and means for holding the end closure on the tank.

4. The construction set forth in claim 3 in which the end portion of thetank is turned inwardly and in which the peripheral flange of the motormounting member is covered with a sealing ring means for providing anairtight seal between the end of the tank and the shoulder of the endclosure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,464,401 Kelly Mar. 15, 1949

